Method for the lifting, turning, and tilting of containers

ABSTRACT

A container manipulating method and apparatus which includes at least one vertically disposed pedestal assembly (12); a tubular column assembly (14); a container support assembly (16); and a container retaining device (18). This method and apparatus houses all of the independently controlled and powered drives for the lifting, turning, and tilting actions completely interior of the column assembly (16). The column assembly (14) may include at least one end seal and a slot closure for minimizing unwanted materials entering or leaving the column assembly. The container (22) retained on the container support assembly (16) may be manipulated from a first position to a subsequent position by lifting, lowering, turning, and tilting movements in series or in combination.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent applicationSer No. 08/035,417, filed on Mar. 23, 1993 and now U.S. Pat. No.5,344,275.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

With regard to the classification of art, this invention is believed tobe found in the general class entitled "Material or Article Handling",and more particularly to the subclasses pertaining to rotating cradleswhich have a non fixed pivot. This apparatus and method provides for theelevation, as well as the arcuate turning or positioning of the cradleabout a vertical axis.

2. Description of the Related Art

The lifting and tilting of receptacles such as containers, drums and thelike is the subject of my U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,699, issued on Apr. 27,1993; my U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,050 issued on Jan. 10, 1989; and my U.S.Pat. No. 4,954,037, issued on Sep. 4, 1990. Each of my listed Patentsare soley owned by me.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,797,050 and 4,954,037 are directed to and teach the useof a camming trackway to provide the tilting action of the cradle. Thedegree of the tilting action is dependent on the magnitude of the lift.This dependency has been found to place limitations on the versatilityand use of the apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,699 teaches theindependent lifting and tilting of the cradle supporting the container.It has been determined that a need exists for a lifting and tiltingapparatus which also includes a turning capability, meaning that theapparatus is capable of locating the cradle along a arcuate path. Theaxis for this arcuate path falls within the side walls of asubstantially vertical column assembly.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method which provides alifting, turning, and tilting apparatus which solves the need, which waspreviously described. This present invention also provides an apparatuswhich is well suited for use in a processing plant for food,pharmaceuticals, and the like. This present invention encloses all ofthe powered means for lifting, turning, and tilting within the walls ofthe column assembly. One of the embodiments of the present inventionincludes a sealing means for controlling unwanted materials fromentering or leaving the column assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention may be summarized with respect to its objects. It is anobject of this invention to provide and it does provide an apparatus formanipulating receptacles such as containers, drums and the like byindependently controlling the lifting, turning, and tilting action.

It is also an object of this invention to provide and it does provide anapparatus for the powered manipulative lifting, turning, and tilting ofa container. This apparatus encloses all of its powered means formanipulating a cradle within the side walls of its column assembly.

It is another object to provide and it does provide a apparatus formanipulating a container, drum or the like which locates the verticalaxis of the pivot for its turning action within the side walls of itscolumn.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide and it doesprovide an apparatus for lifting, turning and tilting of a containerwhich provides a means for excluding unwanted materials from entering orexiting its column assembly.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide and it doesprovide an apparatus for manipulating a container which includes a meansfor controlling the path of a plurality of flexible conductors. Thiscontrolling means also limits the tensile stress on the flexibleconductors to within desired limits.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide and it doesprovide an apparatus for manipulating a container, drum or the likewhich may be attached to a lower and/or upper structure.

In addition to the above summary, the following disclosure is detailedto insure adequacy and aid in the understanding of this invention. Thisdisclosure, however, is not intended to cover each new inventive conceptno matter how it may be disguised either by variations in form oradditions by further improvements. For this reason, there has beenchosen specific embodiments of a method and apparatus for the lifting,turning, and tilting of containers, drums and the like. The specificembodiments have been chosen for the purpose of illustration anddescription as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 represents a side elevation of the apparatus of the presentinvention, this view showing a container in an elevated and invertedcondition.

FIG. 2 represents a front elevational view of the apparatus of theapparatus in FIG. 1, this view showing a container in a loweredcondition, as a solid outline, and in a lifted condition, as a dashedoutline.

FIG. 3 represents a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, this viewshowing its turning capability in dashed outline.

FIG. 4 represents a side sectional elevation of a column assembly of thepresent invention, this view being partly schematic and taken along line4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 represents an alternate embodiment of the column assembly of thepresent invention, this view being partly schematic and taken in thesame direction as FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 represents a fragmentary view of a roller chain arrangement forlifting and lowering a carriage assembly, this enlarged scale view beingtaken in a direction opposite to FIG. 4, and also showing a tensioncontrolling arrangement for the flexible conductors.

FIG. 7 represents a fragmentary plan view of the lifting and auxiliarychains, this view being taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

In the following description and in the claims, various details areidentified by specific names for convenience. These names are intendedto be generic in their application while differentiating between thevarious details. Corresponding reference characters refer to likemembers throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The drawings accompanying, and forming a part of this specificationdisclose details of construction for the sole purpose of explanation. Itis understood that structural details may be modified without departingfrom the concept and principles of the invention. This invention may beincorporated in other structural forms than shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, an apparatus for thelifting, turning, and tilting manipulation of a container, drum or thelike is generally identified as 10. This apparatus 10 includes apedestal assembly 12, a column assembly 14, a container support assembly16, a container retaining means 18, and an operator's control panel 20.It is to be noted that FIG. 1 shows the container support assembly 16 ina lifted and tilted condition. This fully tilted condition shown, causesthe container or drum 22 to be inverted. The container retaining means18 preferably includes a funnel portion 24. This container retainingmeans 18 is adjustably attached to the container support assembly 16.This adjustable attachment allows the container retaining means 16 to bebrought into engagement with the mouth of the container or drum 22. Thefunnel portion 24 may include an apparatus for breaking lumped granularmaterial and/or a valve means, not shown. The valve means wouldselectively control the flow of material from the container. A butterflyvalve such as my U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,567 may be used, but other types ofsuitable valves may be used. The valve would preferably be mounted atthe small mouth of the funnel portion 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the column assembly 14 includes an elongatedaperture 26 which provides a clearance for passage of the containersupport assembly 16. This container support assembly 16 includes abottom portion which is shaped and sized to receive and support theweight of a container 22 placed thereon. The shaft portion 28 of thecontainer support assembly 16 connects the container support frame 30with a carriage assembly. This carriage assembly is housed interior ofthe column assembly 14 and will be discussed later. Preferably theelongated aperture 26 allows the container support assembly 16 to belowered, as shown in solid outline, to a surface 32 supporting theapparatus 10. This surface 32 may be a floor, a fixed platform, a mobileplatform, or the like. It has been found that an apparatus 10 having asingle pedestal assembly 12 will accommodate lifts and tiltedinversions, shown in dashed outline, in the vicinity of 3.05 meters (10feet).

Referring now to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 is shown as being turned alongan arcuate path 34 from a first position 36 to a second position 38. Theaxis 40 for this arcuate path falls within the walls of the columnassembly 14. FIG. 3 shows the container 22 as being turned or revolvedclockwise in the vicinity of 90 arc degrees. The apparatus 10 is capableof clockwise and counterclockwise rotation up to 359 arc degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the column assembly 14 is shown as an elongatedand substantially tubular structure. This column assembly 14 houses apair of elongated guide rails 42. These U-shaped guide rails 42 areattached to opposite side walls 44L and 44R of the column assembly 14.The carriage assembly 46, housed within the column assembly 14,rotatably carries the shaft 28 of the container support assembly 16.This carriage assembly 46 includes a plurality of guide rollers 48.These guide rollers 48 are rotatably secured to the carriage assembly46. The guide rollers 48 are sized to closely fit into the U-shapedguide rails 42. The U-shaped guide rails 42 and the guide rollers 48guided therein provide a desired controlled guidance for the carriageassembly 46 at any point along its vertical movement within the columnassembly.

Still referring to FIG. 4, The carriage assembly 46 has a poweredtilting means 50 carried thereon. This powered tilting means 50 iscoupled to the shaft 28. Preferably this tilting means 50 includes agear motor assembly which rotates the shaft 28 between 0.5 and 5 RPM. Ithas been found that 1 RPM provides satisfactory results when dischargingmaterials from a container. The tilting means 50 may be pneumatically,hydraulically, or electrically powered.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the carriage assembly 46 is moved within thecolumn assembly 14 by a lifting and lowering means 52. This lifting andlowering means 52 includes at least one flexible tension member 54 and asecond powered gearmotor 56. Preferably the second gearmotor 56 has twooutput shafts 58 so that two tension members 54 may be coupled there to.Preferably each flexible tension member 54 is a roller chain, ofconventional design. The use of a roller chain allows convenientattachment of the tension member 54 to the carriage assembly 46. The useof a roller chain also provides a positive drive by way of a sprocket60.

The pedestal assembly 12 includes a pedestal shaft 62 which extendsupwardly from a pedestal base 64. The axis of the pedestal shaft 62falls within the side walls of the tubular column assembly 14. Thisshaft 62 is rotatably mounted to the column assembly 14 by at least onesuitable anti-friction bearing 66. This anti-friction bearing 66, asshown in FIG. 4, has both radial and thrust bearing capability. Thebearing 66 is housed in a lower end cap 68 of the column assembly 14. Itis preferred that a pair of sealing rings 70 be provided to minimize theamount of materials entering or leaving the bearing 66. A spacer block72 maintains a preferred distance between the bottom of the columnassembly 14 and the pedestal base 64. The end 74 of the shaft 62, distalthe base 64; is coupled to a third gearmotor 76. This third gearmotor 76is mounted to the column assembly 14 at a predetermined position. Thedistance between the third gearmotor 76 and the bearing 66 should besufficient to resist any loading placed on it by the apparatus 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second pedestal assembly 78 may be provided whenit is desired. This second pedestal 78 has been found to be necessarywhen lifts exceed 3.05 meters (10 Feet). This second pedestal 78intimacies a base plate 80 which is suitable for attaching to a surface82 such as a ceiling, a platform, and the like. A shaft 84 of the secondpedestal is rotatably carried by the column assembly 14 by a suitableanti-friction bearing 66. This bearing 66 is housed in an end cap 86 ofthe column assembly 14. It is preferred that a pair of sealing rings 70be provided to minimize the amount of materials entering or leaving thebearing 66. It is to be noted that when the apparatus 10 is mounted bytwo pedestal assemblies the spacing between the third gearmotor and theend cap 68 may be reduced to a minimum.

Still referring to FIG. 5, an alternate lifting and lowering means 150is shown. This lifting and lowering means 150 preferably is a linearactuator. This lifting and lowering means 150 may be electrically,pneumatically, or hydraulically operated. It is preferred that thelifting and lowering means 150 be hydraulically actuated.

Referring now to FIG. 6, which is an enlarged view of the flexibletension member 54, the shaft 58, and the sprocket 60. FIG. 6 also showsa means 88 for controlling the path of at least one flexible conductor90. It is most likely that apparatus 10 will have a plurality offlexible conductors 90 for carrying electrical signals and/orpressurized fIuids to the various operating and sensing components. Theone end 92 of each of the flexible conductors 90 is preferably attachedto the column assembly 14 by way of a bulkhead connection 94. The otherend 96 of each of the flexible conductors 90 is attached to a bulkhead94 attached to the carriage assembler 46. Each flexible conductor iswrapped around a grooved roller 98. This grooved roller 98, more clearlyseen in FIG. 7, is preferably made of a plastic material such as NYLON®,but other suitable materials may be used. The use of a plastic materialaids in minimizing wear between the components. The roller 98 isattached to a second roller chain 100, by way of a suitable mountingblock 102. The roller 98 is rotatably journaled on its shaft 104. Thechain 100 is driven by a sprocket 106. The sprocket 106 must be properlysized in order to provide the desired controlling action withsubstantially no additional tension on the conductors 90. The chain 100should move one-half the distance of the tension means 54. As anexample; a sprocket 60 specified as 50 pitch and 16 teeth, requires thatsprocket 106 be 25 pitch, and 20 teeth. Each flexible conductor 90 isguided by its associated groove in the roller 98. This controlledguidance of the conductors also minimizes entanglement while limitingany tension on the individual conductors to within desired limits.

Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may be suspended by a single pedestalmeans, similar to pedestal assembly 12, from an upper support surface82. This surface 82 may be stationary or mobile.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the elongated aperture 26 may include a closingmeans 110. One type of closing means 110 may take the form of a flexiblestrip of material 112 which is attached to the carriage assembly 46.This flexible material 112 preferably is guided in sealing tracks alongthe sides of the aperture 26. The ends of the flexible material 112wound be spirally wound onto a pair of spindles 114. Each spindle 114would be adapted for allowing the flexible material 112 to be wound orunwound thereon. This winding or unwinding on spindles 114 occurs as thecarriage assembly 46 is lifted or lowered. This closing means 110 incooperation with sealing means 70 limits the amount of materialsentering or leaving the column assembly 14.

The present invention may be manually controlled by an operator. Variouselectrical switches or valves may be provided on the operators controlpanel 20. This present invention may also be automatically controlled byusing appropriate sensors, encoders, valves, limit switches, andprogrammable controllers. The automatic control may include operatoradjustable programs. The lifting, turning, and tilting action isindependently actuated allowing each action to occur either separatelyor simulataneously with other actions.

The apparatus is adapted to be easily connected to a source of power,such as electrical and/or a pressurized fluid. When the apparatus of thepresent invention is mounted on a mobile platform the connection meansmay include quick disconnecting capabilities as needed.

USE AND OPERATION

Referring to FIG. 1; FIG. 2; and FIG. 3., the apparatus 10 is used formanipulating a receptacle 22. Usually the receptacle 22 contains aflowable material which is to be used in a process. Typically thereceptacle or container 22 is placed on the bottom portion of acontainer support assembly or cradle 16. A container retaining means 18is lowered to engage the mouth of the container 22. The apparatus 10 isselectively energized to manipulate the container 22 from a loweredposition to a second position. Typically this manipulation involveslifting, turning, and tilting of the container support assembly 16 withthe container 22 retained thereon. The manipulative steps utilized areindependently controlled to provide various combinations of movements.

It is preferred that the retaining means 18 include a funnel portion 24for directing the flow of the material to be discharged from thecontainer 22. It is also preferred that a valve means, not shown, beattached to the small end of the funnel portion 24 to control thedischarge of material. The use of a valve prevents premature dischargingof the material as the container is brought to a fully tilted condition.This valve means also allows the operator to control the quantity ofmaterial being discharged without reversing the tilt of the container.

The arcuate turning capabilities of the apparatus 10 provide for theturning or indexing of a container from a first position 36 to a secondposition 38, more clearly seen in FIG. 3. The degree of turning isselectively controlled by an operator or automatic positioning controls.

This apparatus 10 may include a sealing means 70 and a closing means 110which minimizes contamination of the processing area by the apparatus10. That is escapement of materials from within the column assembly 14is minimized by the use of the closing means 110 and the sealing means70. An additional benefit of the sealing means 70 and the closing meansis that airborne particles which would be harmful to the machinerycannot easily enter the column assembly 14.

After the container 22 is discharged, the carriage assembly 16 may bereturned to its original position or a third position. This thirdposition may be used for depositing of discharged receptacles. Afterremoval of the discharged container, the carriage support assembly isthen prepared to have another container placed thereon.

The present invention for an apparatus for lifting, turning, and tiltingdisclosed and described above also suggests a method for producing suchan apparatus. This apparatus provides for the manipulation of areceptacle such as containers, drums, barrels and the like. Themanipulation comprises the independent control of lifting, turning, andtilting of the container. The tilting of the container being sufficientfor discharging any materials carried therein. This method includes thesteps of:

providing at least one pedestal assembly, said pedestal assembly havingan axis of its shaft in a substantially vertical array;

providing a column assembly, said column assembly being elongated andtubular, configuring at least one end of the column assembly forrotatable attachment to said shaft of the pedestal assembly.

providing a container support assembly, said container support assemblyincluding a bottom portion sufficient to receive and support anycontainer placed thereon;

providing a means for retaining the container in a placed conditionduring lifting, turning, and tilting, said means for retaining thecontainer being adjustably attached to said container support assembly;

providing a moveable carriage assembly interior of said column assembly,said carriage assembly including a plurality of guide rollers rotatablysecured thereto, said carriage assembly rotatably supporting saidcarriage support assembly exterior of said column assembly by way of anelongated aperture being formed in a wall of the column assembly;

attaching U-shaped channel members to opposing interior walls of thecolumn assembly, so that the guide rollers are guided therein;

mounting a lifting and lowering means for a controlled positioning ofsaid carriage assembly with respect to said column assembly;

mounting a powered turning means interior of said column assembly forproviding a controlled turning of said column assembly with respect tosaid pedestal assembly;

mounting a powered tilting means on said carriage assembly, said tiltingmeans being housed interior of said column assembly, said tilting meansproviding a controlled tilting of said container support assembly;

providing a first controlling means for providing an independent controlof said lifting and lowering means;

providing a second controlling means for providing an independentcontrolling of said turning means;

providing a third controlling means for providing an independentcontrolling means for said tilting means;

providing a flexible conductor controlling means interior of the columnassembly, said flexible conductor controlling means providing guidanceof any flexible conductors placed thereon, said flexible conductorcontrolling means traveling at one-half the movement of the carriageassembly with respect to the column assembly;

mounting a funnel portion and valve assembly on said container supportassembly;

providing a sealing means at the end of the column rotatably attached tothe pedestal assembly, while providing a closing means for saidelongated aperture in said column assembly, wherein said sealing meansand said closing means cooperating to minimize materials entering orleaving the column assembly; and

providing a means for connecting said apparatus to a source of power.

The present invention as disclosed above also suggests a method fordischarging a flowable material for a receptacle, such as a container,drum, barrel and the like. This method method includes the selectivemanipulative steps of:

providing a source of power to a lifting, turning and tilting apparatus,where an axis for said turning falls interior of a column assembly, saidcolumn assembly being elongated and tubular, said column assemblyfurther having an elongated aperture being formed in a wall of saidcolumn assembly;

retaining a container on a container support assembly by engaging aretaining means, said container support assembly being rotatably carriedon a carriage assembly, said carriage assembly being housed and guidedcompletely within said column assembly;

manipulating the container from a first position to at least onesubsequent position by independently controlling a flow of power fromsaid power source to a lifting and lowering means, a turning means, anda tilting means, each said lifting and lowering means, said turningmeans, and said tilting means being entirely housed interior of thecolumn assembly;

discharging a quantity of a flowable material from the container in atilted condition by actuating a discharge valve means;

returning said container to the first position by independentlycontrolling each of said lifting and lowering means, said turning means,and said tilting means;

releasing said container on said container support assembly, bydisengaging the retaining means.

Terms such as "left", "right", "up", "down", "bottom", "top", "front","back", "in", "out", and the like are applicable to the embodimentsshown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms aremerely for the purpose of description and do not necessarily apply tothe position in which the lifting, turning, and tilting apparatus of thepresent invention may be utilized.

While these particular embodiments of an improved lifting, turning, andtilting apparatus and method have been shown and described, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto and protection issought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for lifting, turning and tilting ofcontainers comprising:(a) providing at least one pedestal assemblyhaving a shaft, said pedestal assembly having an axis of its shaft in asubstantially vertical array; (b) providing a column assembly, saidcolumn assembly being elongated and tubular, configuring at least oneend of the column assembly for rotatable attachment to said shaft of thepedestal assembly; (c) providing a container support assembly, saidcontainer support assembly including a bottom portion sufficient toreceive and support any container placed thereon; (d) providing a meansfor retaining the container in a placed condition during lifting,turning, and tilting, said means for retaining the container beingadjustably attached to said container support assembly; (e) providing amoveable carriage assembly interior of said column assembly, saidcarriage assembly including a plurality of guide rollers rotatablysecured thereto, said carriage assembly rotatably supporting saidcontainer support assembly exterior of said column assembly by way of anelongated aperture being formed in a wall of the column assembly; (f)attaching U-shaped channel members to opposing interior walls of thecolumn assembly, so that the guide rollers are guided therein; (g)mounting a lifting and lowering means interior of said column assemblyfor a controlled positioning of said carriage assembly with respect tosaid column assembly; (h) mounting a powered turning means interior ofsaid column assembly for providing a controlled turning of said columnassembly with respect to said pedestal assembly; (i) mounting a poweredtilting means on said carriage assembly, said tilting means being housedinterior of said column assembly, said tilting means providing acontrolled tilting of said container support assembly; (j) providing afirst controlling means for independently controlling said lifting andlowering means; (k) providing a second controlling means forindependently controlling said turning means; (l) providing a thirdcontrolling means for independently controlling said tilting means; (m)providing a source of power for said lifting, turning, and tilting; (n)retaining a container on said container support assembly by engagingsaid retaining means; and (o) manipulating the container from a firstposition to at least a subsequent position by independently controllinga flow of power from said power source to said lifting and loweringmeans, said turning means, and said tilting means.
 2. A method asrecited in claim 1 which includes the step of discharging a quantity offlowable material from said container in a tilted condition by actuatinga valve means.
 3. A method as recited in claim 2 which includes the stepof guiding the quantity of material discharging through a funnel portionattached to said container support assembly.
 4. A method as recited inclaim 1 which includes the further step of returning said container tothe first position by independently controlling each of the lifting andlowering means, said turning means, and the tilting means.
 5. A methodas recited in claim 1 which includes the further step of providing aflexible conductor controlling means interior of the column assembly,said flexible conductor controlling means providing guidance of anyflexible conductors placed thereon, said flexible conductor controllingmeans traveling at one-half the movement of the carriage assembly withrespect to the column assembly.
 6. A method as recited in claim 1 whichincluding the step of mounting a funnel portion and valve assembly onsaid container support assembly.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1including the step of providing a second pedestal assembly at an end ofsaid column assembly opposite the first mentioned pedestal assembly,said second pedestal assembly being rotatably attached to the endopposite the first pedestal assembly.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7which includes the steps of providing a sealing means at each end of thecolumn assembly rotatably attached to its associated pedestal assembly.9. A method as recited in claim 8 which includes the step of providing aclosing means for said elongated aperture in said column assembly,wherein each of said sealing means and said closing means cooperate forminimizing materials entering or leaving the column assembly.
 10. Amethod as recited in claim 1 including the step of providing a means forconnecting said source of power.
 11. A method as recited in claim 1which includes the step of releasing said container from said containersupport assembly when desired, by disengaging the retaining means.